Free Republic

A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a 2009 federal decision that called for reducing the amount of water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect salmon and other species. The 2009 environmental review by the National Marine Fisheries Service found that continuing to pump water from the delta at such a high rate would threaten several endangered salmon species and killer whales. Some of the state’s biggest water agencies, including Southern California’s Metropolitan Water District, had challenged the 2009 federal decision. …

California lawmakers on Wednesday passed an $11 billion overhaul of the state's antiquated water system in a bid to supply a soaring population while preserving a fragile environment. After a long night of debate, the state Assembly voted in favor of the comprehensive package of water bills and a bond measure to fund them. The Senate also approved. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to sign the five-bill package. The plan provides funding for new dams, groundwater cleanup, conservation and habitat restoration. It gives Schwarzenegger comprehensive tools to begin restoring the crucial Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and create a stable water supply...

San Joaquin Water Crisis Resource Information:Websites Aquafornia.com http://aquafornia.com/ By Water Education Foundation. “…Aquafornia is dedicated to providing comprehensive news and information about California water issues, as well as issues affecting the southwest. Aquafornia posts links from the news media, press releases, trade magazines, and blogs…The site is updated usually by 8am daily, 7 days a week, and breaking news is posted whenever it occurs…” Links to footage from the Sean Hannity Show. Farmers For Water www.Farmersforwater.com “…Providing Links & Information on the Central Valley Water Crisis…” Good collection of articles, maps and photos, links and other information. Families Protecting the...

The state Department of Water Resources on Monday appealed a judge's decision that threatens to halt water from being pumped out of the delta. The decision will give the state more time to secure the authority it needs to send water to millions of Californians, officials said. The appeal stays an April 18 order by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, who ruled that the state's water pumps illegally kill chinook salmon and delta smelt. The ruling would have shut down the Harvey O. Banks pumping station near Tracy within 60 days. The decision was a victory for environmentalists and...